Marin Weekend Family Fun for January 23, 24 & 25

January 24, 2015

Step back in time at Fort Point's Civil War Living History Day on Saturday from 10 am–5 pm

Here are our picks for great events and activities for children and families this weekend. Find more events for the whole week in Marin and beyond in our Family Events Calendar.

Friday, January 23

Sing and Dance with Miss KittySan Rafael Public Library
Friday, 10:30–11:15 am
Join Marin County favorite Miss Kitty for a series of fun family concerts just right for children aged birth to 8 years old. Free, no registration required! Location: 1100 E Street, San Rafael. For more info, call (415) 485-3322 or visit their website.

San Francisco Boat Show
McCovey Cove & Pier 48
Friday–Sunday, 10 am–6 pm
The Progressive Insurance San Francisco Boat Show offers a festive seaside atmosphere and is the “go to” place to see and experience everything that boating has to offer in the Bay Area, with entertainment for all ages including on-water activities such as hands-on skill building workshops, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding test rides and demos. Gourmet food and berverages will also be available to purchase. Admission: $12 adults: $12, free for 15 and younger. Adjacent to AT&T Park. For more info, visit their website.

Saturday, January 24

Family Bird Walk at Olompali
Olompoli State Historic Park, Novato
Saturday, 8:30 am–noon
Celebrate the season with the birds of Olompali. Beginning and experienced birders are invited to join leaders Rich Cimino and Janet Bodle of Yellowbilled Tours to view Olompali's diverse avian residents as we walk the ranch road past the park's reservoir. Perfect for the family. Cost: $8 per car; event is free. Location: new park entrance from Atherton Avenue/Redwood Boulevard in Novato. For more info, call (707) 762-9715 or visit their website.

Family Fun: 2nd Annual Stafford Winter Classic
Stafford Lake Park, Novato
Saturday, 9 am–1 pm
Come out and show off your game at Stafford’s 2nd Annual Winter Disc Golf Classic! Merit and raffle prizes will be awarded with top honors going to lowest score per 18 holes. This event is ideal for all ages. All skill levels are welcome and no experience is necessary. Wear comfortable athletic clothing and sturdy shoes. Hot chocolate and snacks provided. Location: Park entrance is waived for participants. Meet at the gate house at Stafford Lake Park in Novato. For more info, visit their website.

Creekside Restoration with Save the Bay
Hal Brown Park at Creekside, Greenbrae
Saturday, 9 am–noon
Join Marin County Parks and Save the Bay staff to learn about the history of San Francisco Bay and Creekside Marsh, and be a part of a community-based effort to enrich important habitat areas of Hal Brown Park. All skill levels are welcome and no previous experience is necessary. OK for volunteers as young as 5 to participate with a parent or guardian. Dress in layers you can get dirty, wear sturdy shoes, and bring water. Snacks and extra water will be provided. Pre-registration is required. To register or for additional information visit their website.

Whale Watching at Point Reyes Lighthouse
Point Reyes National Seashore
Weekends, 9 am–3:30 pm
Go see the whales out at the Point Reyes Light House and Chimney Rock. Shuttle buses leave Drakes Beach every 15–20 minutes. The cost is $7 per person; children under 16 are free. No cars allowed at Point Reyes Light House on weekends and holidays December 26 through mid-April. For more info, visit their website.

Civil War Living History DayFort Point, San Francisco
Saturday, 10 am–5 pm
Join reenactors from the American Civil War Association as they bring this 150-year-old fort to life with period uniforms, military music, talks, and demonstrations. We attended this event last year—read our article here. Free admission. For information, call (415) 556-1693 or visit their website.

Open House at The Mountain School
Corte Madera
Saturday, 10 am-noon
Bring the whole family to visit their cozy classrooms, meet their seasoned professional preschool teachers, and chat with the wonderful Mountain School parents. RSVP at (415) 924-4661. Location: 50 El Camino Drive, Corte Madera.

Free Junior Chef Classes
Williams-Sonoma, Corte Madera
Saturday, 10 amCook up family fun with this series of classes at Williams-Sonoma in Corte Madera. In this class, it’s A-OK to eat with your fingers—no forks required! Learn how to make scrumptious finger foods that are great for snacks, lunch and dinner. What could be more fun? Suitable for ages 9–13. Location: The Village Corte Madera. For more info, visit their website.

Open House at Montessori de Terra Linda
San Rafael
Saturday, 10 amMontessori de Terra Linda is an AMI recognized independent school in Marin County serving children from preschool through sixth grade.Their open house is a wonderful opportunity to meet teachers, see the classrooms, and get a better understanding of the Montessori curriculum. (Adults only, please.) Please RSVP by calling (415) 479-7373. Location: 610 Del Ganado Road, San Rafael. For more info, visit their website.

Open House at Cascade Canyon School
Fairfax
Saturday, 10 am–noon
Cascade Canyon School (CCS) opens its doors to the whole family, with a K–8 open house event. The open house includes a student-led tour, demonstration lessons, a teacher-led question and answer session, and an opportunity to meet the Head of School. Location: 2626 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, Fairfax. For more info, call (415) 459-3464 or visit their website.

Bay Area Children's Theatre presents Bob Marley's Three Little Birds
Freight & Salvage, Berkeley
Saturday and Sunday, 11 am & 2 pm
The reggae music of Bob Marley evokes the spirit of Jamaica in this modern-day fairytale about the unexpected adventures of timid, 11-year-old Ziggy. Watch out for evil Duppy, but “don’t worry about a thing, ‘cause every little thing gonna be all right!” Based on the story by Cedella Marley. Recommended for 4 and up. Tickets: $22 adults, $18 children, $20 seniors, $13 groups (10 or more). Location: 2020 Addison Street Berkeley. For more info, call (510) 524-2941 or visit their website.

Kids' Program: Towering Trees of Muir Woods
Muir Woods National Monument, Mill Valley
Saturday, 1:30–2:30 pm
Children explore the towering redwood trees using their senses. We'll each meet a tree; participate in a scavenger hunt; play guessing games; sing a few tree songs while enjoying the beautiful forest in a special secret grove at Muir Woods. Space is limited so reservations required; please phone (415) 388-2596. For more info, visit their website.

Family Concert: The Bobs
Calvary Presbyterian Church, San Francisco
Saturday, 2–2:45 pm
The San Francisco Chamber Orchestra is presenting an admission-free Family Concert. This family concert features the Grammy-nominated vocal acrobats, The Bobs who have performed at many events and shows, including the Emmy's, HBO, PBS and many more. These 45-minute presentations introduce classical music to listeners aged 3 to 103, setting the stage for life-long appreciation of this great art form. Seating is first-come, first-served, and doors open to everyone 30 minutes before concert time. Location: 2515 Fillmore Street, San Francisco. For more info, visit their website.

Headlands Nightlife: Family Night Hike & Campfire
NatureBridge at Golden Gate
Saturday, 5:30–8 pm
Explore the mysterious lifestyle of nocturnal animals that start their day just as you’re going to bed! Learn about special adaptations that allow owls, bats, and other nighttime critters to hunt by moonlight. Children of all ages are welcome. Baby carriers are suggested for children 4 and under. Only families with children are permitted to attend. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Cost: $12 per person, pre-registration required. Location: 1033 Fort Cronkhite, Sausalito. For more info and to register, call (415) 992-4700 or visit their website.

RoCo Dance On Stage and ALICE
Marin Veterans' Memorial Auditorium, San Rafael
Saturday, 7:30 pm & Sunday 3 and 7 pm
ALICE is RoCo’s original and contemporary version of Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland. This colorful and theatrical performance, includes contemporary, ballet, hip-hop, breakdance, and jazz dancing featuring RoCo’s youth program from both its locations in Marin. Tickets: $24–$28; purchase tickets here. Location: 10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael. For more info, visit their website.

Sunday, January 25

Civic Center Farmers' Market
Marin Civic Center, San RafaelSunday, 8 am–1 pm
There's lots of organically grown produce, breads, eggs, and fresh cut flowers, as well as live music, bounce houses, and more. This farmers' market is a great one to take the kids to. It’s located in the main Civic Center parking lot. For more info, visit their website.

Birds for Kids at Las Gallinas
Las Gallinas Water Treatment Ponds
Sunday, 10 am–noon
Join up with WildCare Family Adventures for a day of nature exploration and education. We will be joined by Marco Berger, a fantastic teacher and naturalist who will share his expertise in both English and Spanish. This is a fantastic place for new birders to get great looks at a variety of birds. We’ll have spotting scopes, but bring binoculars if you have them! Free. Location: Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District, Smith Ranch Road, San Rafael. For more info, visit their website.

Open House at San Anselmo Coop Nursery School
San Anselmo
Sunday, 10 am–noon
Come by and see a school unlike any other in Marin. A school filled with over 60 years of laughter, fun, love community and support. Location: 24 Myrtle Lane, San Anselmo. For more info, call (415) 454-5308 or visit their website.

Sundays at the J!
Marin JCC, San Rafael
Sunday, 10 am–5:45 pm
Bring the family for a day of fun. Playtime in the gym, bounce house, and tumbling for families with children 6 and under, art time, library time in the Lefferts Jewish Community Library, and sports and recreation for families with children 7+. Family-friendly fare is available at the café. Adult supervision is required for kids 9 and under. Drop-in charge per person. Location: 200 North San Pedro Road in San Rafael. For more info, visit their website.

Mill Valley LIVE: Captain Jack Spareribs!
Mill Valley Community Center
Sunday, 11 am–noonMill Valley LIVE, a series of live entertainment for the whole family, begins this month at the Mill Valley Community Center. Multi-talented Ace Miles—whose pirate character Captain Jack Spareribs is a Bay Area sensation—will captivate the audience with magic, ventriloquism, juggling and more. Tickets available now at the Mill Valley Community Center: $8 general admission, free for 3 years and under. Location: 180 Camino Alto, Mill Valley. For more information call (415) 383-1370 or visit their website.

Sausalito Herring Festival
Gabrielson Park, Sausalito
Sunday, 11 am–3:30 pm
Join us to celebrate the little silvery fish that comes to Richardson Bay by the thousands every year and sustains the last commercial fishery in San Francisco Bay—right off our Sausalito shore! Environmental and historical groups will be on hand to tell us about the fishery, the boats and the important role this little fish plays in our ecosystem. Learn more about it all while listening to great music, feasting on herring delicacies presented by local chefs and restaurants, and participating in kids' activities. Free admission. For more info, visit their website.

Drop-In Art-Making: Creative Clay Creatures
Contemporary Jewish Museum, San Francisco
Sunday, 1–3 pm
Bring your family and drop into new adventures in art-making every Sunday and select school holidays.Sculpt your creatures, real or imagined, out of clay, wire, sticks, and more. Free with Museum admission; youth 18 and under always free. Location: 736 Mission Street, San Francisco. For more info, visit their website.

Sonoma Paradiso Family Concert Series: Tchaikovsky Discovers America
Weill Hall, Green Music Center, Rohnert Park
Sunday, 3 pm
Bring the entire family to experience Tchaikovsky’s most beloved music performed by the Santa Rosa Symphony and magically woven into drama as two actors recreate historical incidents from the composer’s life, including his arrival in New York for the grand opening of Carnegie Hall in 1891. Hear more than 25 excerpts, among them the 1812 Overture, the First Piano Concerto and String Serenade, as well as passages from his three famous ballets—The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, and Swan Lake. Tickets start at $12. Location: 1801 East Cotati Ave, corner of Petaluma Hill Road and Rohnert Park Expressway. Purchase tickets on their website here.